Both TGen programs are sponsored by Helios Education Foundation, a philanthropic organization that is focused on creating opportunities for individuals to succeed in postsecondary education.

Danika Kartchner, now a senior at AAEC South Mountain Early College High School, was a member of the 2018 inaugural class of TGen Bioscience Leadership Academy, designed exclusively for high school students who are looking to elevate their understanding of bioscience and precision medicine.

“We participated in a number of activities ranging from exploring a variety of science careers and touring laboratories and clinics, to learning soft skills and engaging in team building exercises. Along the way, I made a group of lifelong friends who share my passion and who made the experience all the more rewarding,” Danika said. “TGen Bioscience Leadership Academy opened my eyes and heart to a world of possibilities, and helped me to define my future career goals.”

TGen will select 20 high school students from across Arizona to participate in the 2019 TGen Bioscience Leadership Academy. From June 17-28, students will spend two weeks with TGen’s world-class scientists, learning advanced scientific and professional skills.

This high school program builds on the success of the ongoing Helios Scholars at TGen, which for 12 years has provided 45 students each summer with an eight-week paid internship, preparing the next generation of Arizona bioscience researchers and physicians. Helios Scholars at TGen is designed exclusively for undergraduate and graduate college students, including those in medical school. They are paired with TGen scientists who share research expertise and technical skills, bioethics, experimental design, and the translational process of quickly moving laboratory discoveries into new therapeutics to benefit patients with neurological disorders, infectious diseases and many types of cancer.

Since its initiation in 2007, 509 students have participated in this program, which this coming summer starts June 10, and concludes Aug. 2 with the annual Helios Scholars Intern Symposium.

“This past summer’s first year of having separate programs for high school and for college proved to be an unqualified success,” said Julie Euber, TGen Manager of Education and Outreach. “Thanks to the generosity of Helios Education Foundation, high school students interested in the biosciences now have a program specifically tailored to provide them with a full array of biomedical career possibilities.”

TGen receives hundreds of applications to both Helios Scholars at TGen and to TGen Biosciences Leadership Academy. Applications for both programs close Feb. 4.

“We are encouraged by the inaugural success of the TGen Bioscience Leadership Academy and the ongoing progress of Helios Scholars at TGen. Both provide creative and challenging ways for these students to advance to higher academic levels, and prepare themselves for success in college and career,” said Paul J. Luna, President and CEO, Helios Education Foundation.

Students selected for both programs will receive guidance in science communication skills, public speaking, workplace skills and networking. Both programs are designed to increase access to academic experiences for underrepresented populations, demonstrate TGen’s and Helios’ leadership in innovative bioscience education, and enable graduates to become peer models who can inspire other students to achieve.

Applicants for TGen Bioscience Leadership Academy must be 16 by the time the program starts, and in the fall be entering their junior or senior year of high school. Only one student will be selected from any one Arizona high school each year, ensuring participation from 20 schools. Each student receives a $1,000 scholarship.

Helios Scholars must be 16 by the time the program starts and be a full-time college/university student during the Fall 2019 semester. Applicants must be a graduate of an Arizona high school or currently attending a college/university in Arizona. Each intern earns an hourly wage that varies with experience.

About Helios Education Foundation Helios Education Foundation is dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals in Arizona and Florida to achieve a postsecondary education. The Foundation’s work is driven by four fundamental beliefs in Community, Investment, Equity and Partnership. Helios invests in programs and initiatives across the full education continuum — from early grade success through postsecondary education. In Arizona, where Latino students comprise the largest percentage of the K-12 public school population, the Foundation is implementing its Arizona Latino Student Success initiative focused on preparing all students — especially students in high poverty, underserved Latino communities — for success. Through Helios’ Florida Regional Student Success Initiative, the Foundation is helping underserved, minority, first-generation students from the state's large population centers in Miami, Orlando and Tampa achieve a postsecondary education. Since 2006, the Foundation has invested more than $200 million in education programs and initiatives in both states. To learn more about Helios, visit us online at www.helios.org.

About TGen, an affiliate of City of HopeTranslational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is affiliated with City of Hope, a world-renowned independent research and cancer and diabetes treatment center: www.cityofhope.org. This precision medicine affiliation enables both institutes to complement each other in research and patient care, with City of Hope providing a significant clinical setting to advance scientific discoveries made by TGen. TGen is focused on helping patients with neurological disorders, cancer, diabetes, and infectious diseases, through cutting edge translational research (the process of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial contribution to help our patients through efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process. For more information, visit: www.tgen.org. Follow TGen on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter @TGen.